Freddie Freeman’s contract details show Dodgers got a steal

And there it is, Los Angeles Dodgers fans. It finally happened. Late on Wednesday night, the front office landed Freddie Freeman after the other main suitors had bowed out.

The Atlanta Braves traded for Matt Olson and signed him to an extension. The Toronto Blue Jays filled their infield with third baseman Matt Chapman via trade. The New York Yankees opted for Anthony Rizzo instead. The San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays never really had a chance.

In the end, the Dodgers took advantage, especially after it was reported Freeman’s representation had “show its hand.” The two sides eventually agreed to a six-year, $162 million contract after previous offseason reports suggested a deal with Freeman would likely cost $30 million AAV.

It seems LA got some sort of a discount here, landing arguably the best first baseman in the game for $27 million AAV and can now boast the best infield in MLB with Freeman at first, Max Muncy/Chris Taylor at second, Trea Turner at shortstop and Justin Turner at third.

Los Angeles Dodgers-Freddie Freeman contract details revealed

According to other pertinent buzz, the Braves’ final and best offer to Freeman was a five-year, $140 million pact, which came out to $28 million AAV, but the consistent chatter was that the five-time All-Star valued length on what’s expected to be his final big contract. LA needed to just go one year and $22 million more to get it done.

What’s even more glaring here is the difference in taxes, too, which the Braves tried to use to their advantage. The California state income tax is more than double Georgia’s, yet Freeman took the marginal bump in pay from the Dodgers despite the fact he’s going to lose that entire profit to taxes.

For the life of his deal in California, Freeman will be taxed $21.55 million by the state. If he had opted for the $140 million contract with the Braves, he would’ve surrendered just $8 million in state taxes. In reality, the Dodgers’ deal is a six year, $140.45 contract subtracting the state taxes while the Braves’ would’ve been a five-year, $131.95 million contract.

More importantly, let’s talk about the actual baseball impact here.

Projecting Dodgers’ 2022 lineup after Freddie Freeman signing

• Mookie Betts, RF
• Trea Turner, SS
• Freddie Freeman, 1B
• Justin Turner, 3B
• Max Muncy, DH
• Will Smith, C
• Cody Bellinger, CF
• AJ Pollock, LF
• Chris Taylor, 2B

Now bring us to Opening Day. It really can’t come soon enough. Oh yeah, but let the Dodgers get a few pitchers first … then they’ll be good.

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